Elevating Early Childhood Education Across the Mountain State
The West Virginia Child Care Credential is a voluntary recognition program developed by the Division of Early Care and Education to honor child care providers who exceed the state’s basic licensing and registration requirements. This initiative supports professional growth, improves compensation, and promotes excellence in early childhood education.
🎯 Program Goals
- Develop a qualified professional workforce to care for young learners
- Enhance provider status and compensation
- Recognize ongoing professional learning and innovation in child care
- Provide a structured pathway for career growth
📚 Required Trainings for the General Credential
To earn the General Credential, providers must complete the following approved trainings:
- The Growing Brain
- Early Learning Standards Framework Overview (or WV-specific version)
- Pre-Service Training: Basic Health and Safety in Childcare
- Making a Difference: Mandated to Report – Responsibility to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect (after 2018)
- WVIT Professional Development Program: Ethics (on-demand course)
- Medication Administration (within the last 3 years)
- Understanding ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) – ACEs 101
- RR Spreading HOPE: Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences
🎁 Bonus Opportunity: Upon achieving the General Credential, providers are eligible for a $500 bonus payment and recognition certificate.
Trainings marked with a special symbol meet the Child Care Credential requirements.
WV Child Care Credential Packet for Child Care Region 5
This packet is for child care providers in Barbour, Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Lewis, Mineral, Morgan, Pendleton, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker & Upshur counties.
WV Child Care Credential Packet for Child Care Region 6
This packet is for child care providers in Braxton, Fayette, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Summers, Webster & Wyoming counties.
🏅 Credential Specializations
After earning the General Credential, providers can pursue ONE of the following Specializations that best represents their early childhood career:
- Director’s Specialization – for child care program directors
- Infant Toddler Specialization – for caregivers of infants and toddlers
- Preschool Specialization – for caregivers of preschool-aged children
- Family Child Care Specialization – for family home child care providers
🎁 Bonus Opportunity: Upon achieving specialization status, providers are eligible for a $250 bonus payment and recognition certificate.
💙 Thank You!
Your dedication to West Virginia families and communities is deeply appreciated. The Child Care Credential Program is here to support your journey and celebrate your commitment to quality care.
